A Detailed Review of the Timemore C3 ESP Pro’s Unique Features

As a frequent business traveler with a growing fondness for travel coffee machines, I recently decided to invest in the Timemore C3 ESP Pro coffee grinder. This intriguing gadget came highly recommended by several acquaintances who couldn’t be happier with their purchase. I want to clarify that this article isn’t sponsored by Timemore – I bought the grinder myself for personal use. My goal is to provide you with the most thorough and unbiased review I possibly can.

Exploring the Design of the Timemore C3 ESP Pro

Exploring the Folding Crank

As an enthusiast of travel mills, I was instantly drawn to the Timemore range due to its unique feature – the folding crank. This is a significant advantage that sets it apart. Since this system is patented, it’s hard to find any other brand that offers a similar feature. Some might bring up the 1Zpresso brand, which also has a folding crank. However, the key difference is in its compactness: when folded, the 1Zpresso crank still occupies some space. In contrast, the Timemore’s crank neatly tucks into the body of the mill, making it a more space-efficient choice.

The handle of the Timemore C3 ESP Pro is crafted entirely from stainless steel and seamlessly integrates with the aluminum cap. Despite its compact size, this handle provides an exceptional grip. It’s uniquely designed with a ball bearing system, setting it apart from competitors like 1Zpresso, Kingrinder, and El Comandante C40, which use a clip system. The exemplary build quality of the Timemore C3 ESP Pro not only ensures durability but also prevents the handle from accidentally detaching from the crank.

When you fold the crank, a rubber stop is there to ensure that the metal part of the crank doesn’t touch the body of the mill. It’s a neat little feature that helps protect your mill!

Just a quick heads-up for all you coffee enthusiasts out there! At Timemore, when you see the “Pro” label, it signifies the inclusion of a handy folding crank. Interestingly, there’s another variant of this mill, known as the Timemore C3 ESP. It’s a more budget-friendly option, but please be aware that it does not come with a folding crank.

Another noteworthy feature of Timemore’s mills is the ball-bearing mounting of the handle. This design ensures a smooth rotation of the handle and safeguards it from being accidentally detached by a simple pull. This is a significant improvement over other brands that use a clip system, which can be less secure. With a clip attachment, there’s a heightened chance of the handle becoming loose, leading some users to seek help from after-sales service. This is where Timemore shines, offering a superior and reliable solution.

Exploring the Structure of the Mill

The body of the mill is crafted entirely from aluminum. This sets it apart from other brands that typically choose a completely smooth body, necessitating a rubber ring to enhance grip and stop the mill from slipping. In contrast, Timemore has opted for a grooved surface. From my personal experience, I find the grip to be quite comfortable. Moreover, the mill remains stable during use, not spinning on its own due to this innovative design, even with the torque produced by the grinding process.

Exploring the Adjustment Wheel

Unlike its larger counterpart, the Timemore S3, the C3 ESP Pro features its adjustment knob directly on the grinding wheels, offering a unique design twist.

Just like the C40’s “Red Clix” kit that enhances the number of clicks available, the Timemore C3/C3S models provide a robust 12 clicks per revolution. However, the C3 ESP model steps it up a notch with a whopping 30 clicks, mirroring the functionality of a mill equipped with the C40’s kit.

The Timemore C3 ESP is designed with precision in mind, offering an adjustment granularity of 23.3 µm for each click. This feature ensures you can fine-tune your settings to achieve the perfect grind every time.

Let’s dive into the recommended settings based on the type of extraction you’re performing:

Here’s how you can interpret the setting position: the first number represents the total number of full rotations you need to make with the setting wheel. The second number, on the other hand, indicates the specific graduation mark where you should stop after completing the full turns. To illustrate, if the setting is 1.6, this means you should make one full rotation with the dial, and then halt at the 6th graduation mark.

• Espresso: graduation 0.3 to 1.0
• Moka Pot: graduation 1.0 to 1.7
• AeroPress: scale 9 to 25
• For Over: graduation 1.1 to 2.4
• French Press: graduation 1.9 to 2.5

Introducing the S2C600 Grinding Wheel

Meet the Timemore’s S2C600 millstone, a remarkable evolution of the C2C800. This innovative design was previously featured in the now-retired Timemore Chestnut X mill. The latest generation, the S2C600, now graces several mills in the Timemore lineup, including the Timemore S3, which I had the pleasure of testing a few months ago.

I was already quite taken with the Chestnut X‘s grinding wheel, which demonstrated a remarkable ability to produce an even grind. Now, Timemore has taken things up a notch, enhancing the grind consistency even further in this latest version.

Introducing the Recipient

From my personal experience, I’ve found that the quality of a mill’s container often mirrors the overall craftsmanship and design of the mill itself. Take the Kinu Phoenix for instance. Its plastic container is a tad too light, which unfortunately causes the mill to lose its balance when set on a work surface. Conversely, the C40 features a rim on the inside of its container. While this may seem like a minor detail, it actually leads to coffee retention when you’re transferring the grounds into the filter.

When it comes to the Timemore grinder, one of its standout features is the absence of an internal rim in the container, which eliminates the possibility of coffee getting stuck. Additionally, its substantial weight contributes to stabilizing the grinder by lowering its center of gravity. This is a unique feature not found in other models, such as those from 1Zpresso. Another noteworthy aspect is the screw-fastened design of the container, which enhances its durability.

Finally, a thoughtful detail to note is the addition of a rubber insert strategically positioned beneath the container. This not only safeguards your worktop but also speaks volumes about the meticulous attention given to the design.

Mastering Espresso Extraction with the Timemore C3 ESP Pro

While the Timemore S3 left me somewhat underwhelmed when it came to espresso, the Timemore C3 ESP Pro truly shines in this department. To illustrate, let’s take a look at an example from a La Pavoni machine.

First, I carefully measure out 16 g of coffee. To ensure a smooth grind and reduce static cling, I lightly mist the coffee with water using the RDT technique. Then, I proceed to grind the coffee using the reliable Timemore grinder.

So, here we have the outcome you’ve been waiting for.

While it’s certainly feasible to whip up espressos using this grinder, the Timemore C3 ESP Pro wouldn’t be my top pick for this particular brewing method. The primary reason lies in the size of the grindstones, 38 mm. This size significantly extends the grinding time when compared to mills fitted with larger grindstones, like the Kingrinder K6 or the pricier 1Zpresso J-Ultra.

Experience the magic of the Timemore C3 ESP Pro! It may take me just a tad over a minute to grind an espresso, but when I switch to the 47 or 48 mm wheels, I can cut that time down to approximately 40 seconds. It’s all about efficiency and flavor!

Experience the Superiority of the Timemore C3 ESP Pro on the Go

In my experience, Timemore truly shines when it comes to extractions that require a coarser grind. This is a stark contrast to competing brands like 1Zpresso, which, in my opinion, seems to have a particular knack for espresso.

Rest assured, the grind you’ll achieve with the Timemore is exceptionally consistent, a testament to the brand’s proficiency. Whether you’re brewing with a V60 or using my personal favorite, the travel-friendly Pipamoka (which incidentally, is why I purchased this grinder), I believe it strikes the perfect balance.

With the 38 mm grinding wheel, this type of extraction is a breeze. The mill operates swiftly, producing a robust grind without any hassle.

Let’s dive into the key steps for brewing a perfect cup of coffee using the Wacaco Pipamoka:

With these straightforward steps, you’ll be able to whip up a delicious cup of quality coffee in no time, even when you’re on the go.

Grind 14 g of coffee using the Timemore C3 ESP Pro: I recommend using the 1.9 setting. This means you’ll need to make one full turn of the setting wheel, then adjust it to position 9.

So, here we have the outcome:

A Step-by-Step Guide to Dismantling and Cleaning Your Timemore C3 ESP Pro

Putting the mill back together and giving it a good clean is incredibly straightforward. Let’s dive into the step-by-step process:

1. Unscrew the adjustment knob completely to release the grinding wheel.
2. Remove the central rod to gain access to the interior of the mill.
3. Clean the inside of the grinder with a brush or dry cloth to remove any coffee residue.
4. Reassemble the mill in the reverse order : replace the central spindle, reinstall the grinding wheel, then screw back the adjustment knob.

By following these steps, you can ensure the mill’s maintenance is both quick and effortless. This not only guarantees its longevity but also enhances its performance.

Wrapping It Up

I purchased the Chestnut C3 ESP Pro coffee grinder primarily for my travel needs. It’s a perfect companion for my compact travel coffee machine, the Wacaco Pipamoka. What really impressed me about this grinder were its compact size, affordable price, excellent build quality, and consistent grind.

I believe it’s especially well-suited for filter coffee, thanks to its compact grinding wheel. However, don’t let its size fool you! It’s also quite proficient at whipping up espressos, albeit with a slightly longer grinding time.

When it comes to comparing Timemore mills, I have a distinct preference for the C3 ESP Pro over the S3. While the S3 may be more robust and features a larger grinding wheel, it falls short when it comes to making espressos, a task at which the C3 ESP Pro excels. If you’re on the hunt for a grinder that’s even more compact, I invite you to read my review of the Wacaco Exagrinder, a model designed specifically with this in mind.

With that in mind, I’m delighted to award it a 5-star rating.